BDA Chairman Catherine Collins and BDA dietitian Chris Cashin take on Dr.John Briffa.

Check out the link below, and you will understand why UK dietitians are getting nowhere in the fight against the epidemics of obesity and type two diabetes. This protracted debate took place over six years ago, obesity and type two has of course got far worse since those days. The BDA position has not changed, how can it ? How do you say sorry, sorry we got it wrong, sorry about all the diabetics that went to an early grave. It wasn't me, I was only following orders and the the rule book.

A day hardly goes by when a diabetic is not posting on a blog regarding the pitiful advice they received from a dietitian. The NHS stats prove no progress is being made. As far as diabetes is concerned, UK dietitians will not be fit for purpose until they radically change their dietary recommendations.

Link to the 'why is the dietary advice given to diabetics so often so woefully inadequate' debate here.

To wet your appetite a snip from John. Ask yourself who are the people completely out of their depth in this debate. Who are the people that lose the plot and offer not a shred of sound advice for a diabetic. Check this link out, it's not all bun fight, there is much to be learned, but not from the dietitians.

From John to Catherine Collins 

"You have misrepresented my views on carbohydrates. Where have I stated (or even hinted at) that all carbohydrates are bad? In fact, even in the comments posted here (see comment 7) I am clear that the type of carbohydrate is important.

Just because organisations such as the FSA support a diet rich in high GI/GL carbohydrates does not make it good advice, does it? See here: http://www.drbriffa.com/blog/2007/09/19/uk-food-standards-agency-continues-to-mislead-the-public-on-the-value-of-starchy-foods/

You may believe there is ‘safety in numbers’, but this sort of advice (i.e. standard dietetic advice) is being exposed for what it is: not scientifically based, and moreover, potentially harmful to health.

And in light of this, you and other members of your profession seem happy to dispense this advice. And as is so common, instead of debating the point using science (or at least common sense), you make the issue personal.

You wouldn’t perhaps be trying to deflect attention from the real issue here, would you?

Nowhere in your quite voluminous post have you, it seems, been able to mount a cogent argument to support the dietetic advice highlighted here. Though, of course, you have plenty to say about me that has nothing to do with the issue being debated here. My advice to you is to concentrate on the message here (not the messenger).

Less invective and more rational-minded discussion might help stop the reputation and credibility of your profession from sinking even further."

BTW As you will see Chris was also posting as Ally.

Eddie